Disclaimer: I don't own Coco
Hi! So Here we're introduced to our first BOL charac with my own twist, Xibalba! Also Miguel will have a more proactive part now!
Antonio made his way down the street, everyone was excitedly chatting away about Dia de Muertos coming up and wondering what their families would offer them. Antonio himself, had a complicated situation, he had children, grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren yes but...not even they liked him. He was remembered yes, but they never put his photo up on an Ofrenda. So he might have been a bad person in life, who cared? Wasn't death when one forgave such sins? He looked one way, and looked another before ducking into an alleyway. He made sure no one saw him, before jumping off the edge of one of the large turrets holding the homes of the dead. He splashed into the water below, and swam down into the depths, before entering a cave and swimming ever upwards. Finally, he gasped and coughed up water as he clambered up the steps.
There, he saw Xibalba sitting at his work desk painting an Alebrije.
" Xibalba." Said Antonio, immediately bowing to him.
" Shh, can you not see I am working?" Asked Xibalba, extending a finger before returning to his work. Antonio tilted his head to the side curiously. Xibalba was once the ruler of the Land of the Dead, before La Catrina took over. He was a large and imposing looking skeleton dressed in black with a long flowing beard and bushy eyebrows. His wings were large and black, and he had green markings on his skull that almost seemed to glow. After adding in a smidge more orange, he waved his hand, and the green leaves that came from it swirled around the pig alebrije before it came to life. He smiled and gave a small chuckle, as it made a few snorting noises. " Aw, mira mi pequeno cochinito, aall ready for Dia de Muertos in a few days."
Antonio looked up at him strangely, this was Xibalba? The fearsome former ruler of the Land of the Dead?
" Anyway, so that eh that drink I gave you, the one that allows you to travel back and forth between the Land of the Dead and the Land of the Living. How is that working out for you?" Asked Xibalba curiously.
"Oh it's working better than I expected." Said Antonio with a small smile.
" Good, now about our bargain, tell me how can I get mi hermosa Catrina to be happy?" Asked Xibalba, turning to him. A mortal skeleton had asked him for his help, and he was to help Xibalba. That was how these things worked after all. Antonio paused because, oh he wasn't going to actually go through with it...he didn't really know how t make a woman happy. He could however, sure as hell wing it. He was just glad primordial dieties couldn't read minds.
" Well, about that...I came to tell you something else. You heard of Ernesto de la Cruz, and what he did to the Riveras yes?" Asked Antonio.
" Ah, you mean that whole mess that happened last year? Si, I did...such a shame. I was fond of De la Cruz's music, especially that one song..uh the one everyone loves?" Said Xibalba, before beginning to sing 'Remember Me' in that voice of his. He laughed, and used his wings to float up to one of the higher shelves in his study to grab a porcelain figure that would become an alebrije. " What of it?"
" Bueno, he seems to be causing trouble again. I was hoping if you knew of a way, he would-"
"Ah,ah,ah, mi hermosa Catrina does not like it, when I meddle with the skeletons and I'm already in enough trouble by giving you that potion. You want to deal with de la Cruz? You find some way to do it." Said Xibalba, as he floated downwards, and began working on the second alebrije.
" But, you are Xibalba the-"
" And she is La Catrina, you really expect me to go behind my wife's back more than once? No, she and I have had many disagreements over the years, but I would be a fool to try and go behind her back without her knowing. I've only done that once before, and it did not end up well let me tell you. " Said Xibalba, before clearing up his throat. " So go, and don't come back until you plan to keep up your end of the bargain."
" Hmph, fine, I will." Said Antonio, before heading back into the water.
Xibalba shook his head, before glancing up at a portrait of himself and La Catrina, he smiled softly at the painting before crossing over and standing over the fire place.
" Bueno mi amor, another mortal dissatisfied, but as long as I get to see your beautiful smile...it is all worth it." Said Xibalba, before returning to his spot at the desk. Meanwhile, with the Rivera family. The family was having dinner, and it was very odd for Ernesto, as he was used to large and lavish dinner parties. Not this...it was nice.
" Oh, Ernesto, would you like some more?" Asked Rosita, as she came by and noticed his nearly empty plate.
" Uh, no gracias." Said Ernesto.
" Are you sure? Solo un poquito mas." Said Rosita with a smile, as she piled some more food on his plate.
" Uh, gracias." Said a now very uncertain Ernesto, Rosita smiled and set the plate down before sitting herself to eat. While he did eat, he also studied everyone...everyone was laughing, having a great time discussing whatever they were talking about. When he noticed that Victoria was trying to be discreet and read under the table. She looked up when she saw him staring and immediately pressed a finger to her lips to shush him before continuing on with her book. Soon after dinner, Victoria made her way to her room.
" Thank you, for not saying anything, Mama Imelda says that dinner time is family time, and she doesn't allow me to read at the table. " Said Victoria, as she held her books.
" I thought you Riveras were all about family?" He asked semi-teasingly.
" Doesn't mean we can't have a small reprieve every once in a while." She replied, with a light chuckle.
" Gracias, for helping me earlier...perhaps tomorrow, I can make it up to you?" He asked awkwardly. " After all, I have courted hundreds of women and none of them compare to you."
Victoria blinked a few times, before tilting her head to the side...and he realized maybe that hadn't been the best thing to say.
" Uh, what I meant to say was...you are nothing like the other women whom I have...eh-"
Victoria folded her arms over her ribs, she was semi-enjoying how he was digging himself into a bigger hole and inserting his feet into his mouth. She shook her head, before patting his shoulder.
" You are welcome." She replied softly. " After all, we are...friends aren't we?"
" Si, friends." He replied, as she walked away.
" That was just painful...even for you."
Ernesto turned around and saw Hector behind him, leaning against the hallway. Ernesto scoffed and straightened his shirt in response. He had no idea what Hector was talking about, he was Ernesto de la Cruz, and he was perfect at everything he did...including flirting, even if it didn't come out right. Still, Hector motioned for him to follow. Discreetly, they entered Ernesto's room.
" So, how is this going to work?" Asked Ernesto.
" Easy, you're the ghost, how did you go to the Land of the Living last time?" Asked Hector, trying to focus even as the chihuahua Alebrijes were running around and one was on his lap, trying to lick his face.
" I fell asleep." He replied simply, because that had been all he'd done.
" Ok, so...fall asleep." Said Hector, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
" Well I can't fall asleep with you watching." Said Ernesto, and it was almost like they were young again, and just talking. Hector looked at him in annoyance, and Ernesto rolled his eyes before trying to sleep. Hector sighed and leaned against his chair, before looking up at the sky outside the window. He didn't forgive Ernesto, of course he didn't...but well, he knows what it's like to have the people you love turn your backs on you, to have them forget you and..it stings...it's something he'd never wish on anyone. Even his best friend who was also his murderer. He turned, as Ernesto glowed with a soft green glow, and Hector gently reached out...hoping this would work.
He cried out, as he and Ernesto were now in the middle of a courtyard.
" So this is the Land of the Living?" Asked Hector.
" Si, now uh...where is Miguel?" Asked Ernesto.
" How should I know? I've never been here." Retorted Hector, when he saw a door opening. Quickly, the two skeletons hid behind a wall when Miguel walked out.
" Ok, thanks Rosa." Said Miguel, with a smile as he gripped his backpack before heading towards his house. The door closed, and Miguel cried out, as something tackled him. He looked and his eyes widened, when he saw Hector immediately hugging him tightly. "Papa Hector?"
" Miguel! Oh chamaco it's so good to see you!" Exclaimed Hector, Miguel smiled and immediately hugged him back.
" It's great to see you too! I wasn't too late! " Replied Miguel with a smile, his eyes widened in fear and he gasped at the sight of Ernesto. The dead musician inwardly smirked.
" Boo." Said Ernesto, who laughed as Miguel immediately hid behind Hector.
"Knock it off cabron." Chastised Hector, before turning to Miguel who backed up a few steps. Sure he was glad to see his great-great grandfather again, and have actual proof that he'd succeeded in saving his...well...unlife. But still, how could he see them? Actually, they were both glowing kind of green, a far cry from the orange glow of the final death or even the orange glow of the marigolds.
" Papa Hector, what's going on?" Asked Miguel curiously,
" Uh ok so Tia Victoria had the idea of having Ernesto come work at the shoe shop for us so he could atone for what he did...simple anough. But, he had to drink something from someone, who didn't like him and now he's uh...he is a ghost. For the dead, becoming a ghost is bad. They cannot pass on to the Land of the Dead, or even onto the Final Death...they start losing their memories and losing who they were...becoming shells. Now I know what you're thinking, why should we care if that happens to Ernesto?" Said Hector, emphasizing with his hands. " Well...I think he's actually changing."
" He tossed me off a building." Said Miguel immediately. " He murdered you and stole your songs."
" Valid reasons, but...well, chamaco look...he-"
"I am sorry."
Immediately both of them paused and looked up at Ernesto, who turned away from them with his arms folded over his ribcage.
" I...overreacted, and should not have murdered Hector or tossed you into a cenote or even off a building. Pero Miguel, even if you do not forgive me for that...do you really believe I deserve such a fate?" Asked Ernesto.
" I looked up to you, and you were my hero. I thought you were my great-great grandpa, and you still threw me in a hole!" Exclaimed Miguel, who was clearly not having it. " I don't know why they wanna forgive you and help you, but...I don't."
Hector looked from one to the other, it was clear that they were both in the right. On the one hand Ernesto was changing, but on the other hand...Miguel had no reason to think he had changed. Ernesto had hurt him and broken his trust, and that was something Hector could completely understand. In a way, Miguel almost reminded him of Imelda. He sighed and knelt before Miguel and placed a hand on his shoulder.
" Chamaco listen, Victoria and Coco...they see the good in him, I didn't understand it...a part of me still doesn't. But Imelda, she told me she learned something from you, and that was...even if you don't agree with their choices you support your family. I didn't forgive him, but I am helping him because of Victoria and Coco, because he's changing and he can change. Understand?" Said Hector softly, Miguel sighed and looked away because Hector did bring up some good points. He remembered that moment in the alley way with Mama Imelda. When he'd asked her why she couldn't be on his side...well now, Hector needed him to be on his side. He nodded firmly.
" Ok, I'll help you Papa Hector." Said Miguel, though he made sure to emphasize he was doing this for Hector and the rest of his family not Ernesto. " How is Mama Coco?"
" She's doing great kid, she can't wait to see you on Dia de Muertos." Said Hector with a smile, bringing a smile to Miguel's face.
" So, uh how are we going to fix this?" Asked Ernesto, motioning to his greenish glow. Miguel paused, before the wheels in his head began to turn.
" Well, what did you drink?" Asked Miguel.
" Antonio said it was tequila, but it tasted fine...and he said he hadn't put anything in it." Said Ernesto,
" And you fell for that?" Asked Miguel, Ernesto gave him an unamused look.
" Ok, look...here's what we're gonna do, you're gonna take me to the Land of the Dead and we'll find Antonio and then we'll see where he got the drink from!" Said Miguel, though Hector looked uneasy.
" I don't know about that. I mean...what if you can't get back to the Land of the Living? " Asked Hector, Miguel paused for a moment because well...they had a point. Maybe the whole thing was a one time only thing...except no, Mama Imelda had sent him back twice...what if it only worked on Dia de Muertos? Well he had to hope for the best then..but he was going to help his family.
" We have to try." Said Miguel with a nod. Before Hector could say anything, Ernesto grabbed Miguel, and Hector cried out, as the three of them were now back in Ernesto's room.
" Seriously? can't you think things through first before actually doing them?" Asked Hector incredulously.
" Well, it was better we get the results now!" Exclaimed Ernesto, Miguel immediately looked at his fingers, and his eyes widened when he saw his index finger was beginning to skeletonize just like last time. He looked at the window and saw another skeleton's jaw drop.
" Uh whose that?" Asked Miguel, Ernesto and Hector looked to see it was Antonia, who was making a run for it. Quickly they hopped out the window to give chase, and Hector whistled for Pepita to show up and block him. Antonio cried out and fell to the ground, in fear when Hector, Ernesto, and Miguel cornered him making him chuckle. They looked up, when they heard the soft clacking sounds of heels.
" What is going on here?" Asked Imelda, she gasped at the sight of Miguel. " Miguel? They said they were going to talk to you, not bring you!"
" Uh well..don't worry we can take him back!" Said Hector.
" You! What did you do to me!" He exclaimed Ernesto, immediately gripping Antonio by the front of his shirt and pinning him to the wall.
" Nothing! Xibalba told me it would work fast and!" Immdiately, Ernesto dropped him, and Antonio rushed off in another direction, Miguel knitted his brow in confusion.
" Whose Xibalba?" Asked Miguel in confusion, as he looked up at the adults.
" The husband of La Catrina, before her Xibalba ruled the Land of the Dead but...no one has ever met or seen him. Some say, he lives in the waters below the Land of the Dead." Said Imelda, as she held Hector's hand.
" Well, let's go talk to him!" Exclaimed Miguel.
" No"
"Absolutely not."
" Alright." Said Imelda, Hector, and Ernesto simultaneously. The other two gave the third a look, to which he had the decency to look away and be ashamed for what he was saying. Still, Miguel looked up at his family.
" If we want to help Ernesto, we have to talk to Xibalba." Said Miguel, Ernesto looked to Imelda and Hector pleadingly. Both shared a look, knowing this was now something far beyond than they'd imagined. Somehow, this one tiny act had spiraled out of control into something that was much darker and more complicated. Still, Hector gasped, as Ernesto glowed again and a small part of him seemed like he was almost fading away.
" Alright, Pepita will take you." Said Imelda, " But please be careful...and come home."
" I promise we will." Said Hector softly, as he hugged and kissed Imelda. Miguel hugged Imelda just as tightly, and after the three got on Pepita. Miguel held his breath, though it was almost as if she instinctively knew where they were going. The great cat alebrije roared as she shot out of a watery hole in the ground landing them in a large room. Ernesto and Hector looked up, with their jaws almost to the floor in shock at the sight of Xibalba while Miguel looked up in awe. The deity turned and he pointed at Miguel.
" You, give me your opinion, should this dog's eyes be blue or yellow?" Asked Xibalba, presenting Miguel with a turquoise dog alebrije, with green and pink designs.
" Uh yellow?" Said Miguel, Xibalba inspected the alebrije, and after painting it's eyes yellow enchanted it to come to life.
" Ah, magnificent. " Said Xibalba with a smile, as it floated around. He chuckled and his eyes widened when he saw Pepita. " You! I remember you, one of my greatest creations."
Pepita purred, as Xibalba knelt down, and lightly scratched under her chin, to the others' confusion.
" You're Xibalba? "
" Correct, and you are Miguel Rivera, " Said Xibalba, his tone warm and friendly as he stood before Miguel. " I heard about your adventure last year, you're a very lucky and brave little boy. As for your companions, you are Hector Rivera and Ernesto de la Cruz, you know I used to be a big fan...until I found out what you did. "
Ernesto gave a small nervous laugh, before hiding behind Hector.
" Why is everyone afraid of you?" Asked Miguel, thinking out loud.
" Oh come on, I'm scary! Am I not? Don't answer that. I used to be feared, Xibalba even means fear...in the early days, man feared death but mi amada Catrina, she had the idea that death should not be something to fear. It should be something to be celebrated, to remember those who have passed and share their stories. So, you can understand why she rules the Land of the Dead now. Believe me boy, I was quite fearsome in my time...of course, I've mellowed out." Said Xibalba, before getting another alebrije.
" So now you make alebrijes?" Asked Hector, daring to speak up.
" Well where did you think the alebrijes came from?" Asked Xibalba with a chuckle. " I create the alebrijes, based on animals someone had in life or animals that were significant to them. Not everyone gets one, even though some do. Pero each Alebrije just needs a little paint, some love, and a bit of magic. Anyway, what do you want?"
" Well, my friend here has become a ghost." Said Hector, motioning to Ernesto, who froze as Xibalba immediately went over to him. " Someone who didn't like him gave him a drink and-"
" And turned him into a ghost...hmm, but that can't be possible, I gave someone a potion to turn themselves into a ghost so they could visit..." Xibalba let that sentence trailed off and his eyes widened when he realized he'd been had. He held up a finger, excusing himself before going to another room...and letting off an unearthly scream, and a greenish glow swept the room. Both Miguel and Ernesto hid behind Hector..even as Xibalba returned.
" Alright, alright I'm calm. So, here's what it is. You are now a ghost, and on Dia de Muertos the potion will turn you into a ghost permanently." Explained Xibalba.
" Is there a way to stop it?" Asked Hector.